Latch for electric-switch boxes



Sept. 21

v F. T. WHEELER LATCH FOR ELECTRIC SWITCH BOXES Filed'sept. 23, 1925 INVENTOR Frank T B 72 elez Patented Sept. 21, 1926.

TUNITED STATES i 2 1m PATENT o FlcE.

FRANK T. WHEELER, OF PLAINVILLE, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB TO THE TBUMBULL ELECTRIC MANUFACTURINGCOMPANY. OF PLAINVILLE, CCNNECTICUT, A. CCB--' PORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

LATCH FOB ELECTRIC-SWITCH Bans 1 Application filed September23, 1925. Serial No. 58,049;

My invention relates particularly to a latch and fastening device'for holding the cover closed.

The main object is'to provide a simple and inexpensive construction by which the 1n i 1 is a perspective view of an electric switc -box embodying the improvements of my invention.

' Fi 2 is a fragmentary transverse sec-'- tiona yiew showing a latch with a 'sea1 attached.

, trated. Such Fig.' 3 is a vertical sectional view and side elevation showing the cover and box interlocked or latched.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showingthe, novel features of the cover and latch separated. 1 v

Fig. 5 .is a transverse sectional view show-' ing the cover partially closed.

The box is usually formed of sheet steel or iron and has a body 6 and a cover 7. These parts are preferablyficonnected together by hinges 8-8. Any form of switch mechanism may beemployed but since it is not involved in this invention, none is illusa switch constructions are usually provided with suitable operating handles, such as 9.

The latch member 10 is preferably formed of resilient metal or sprin steel having its inner end riveted or welde at 11 to the bod of the box. The outer end of the latch. 1s

rovided with one or more inclined angular ugs 1212 adapted to interlock with one edge of the cover adjacent the opening 13, for'instance, at the ends 14 of the loop strap 15.' These lugs are preferably formed. by cuttin' or stamping ortions from'theed s of the latch strip. T e loop 15 is prefera ly formed by cutting the metal and drawing or sketching the strap thus formed.

The end of the latch 10 is provided with an. opening 16 which is adapted to be in alignment with the passage beneath the loop 15 when the cover is closed. 1

The latch may also be provided with an opening 17 adapted toreceive a padlock (not shown) or a wire. 18 of the seal 19. This Wl-IG is also adapted to pass through the opening 16 so that the wire may conven iently encircle .the loo 15 and connect the loop and latch secure y together when desired.

When the cover is being closed, {as shown in Fig. 5, the cover slides over the outer inclined faces of the lugs 1212 and forces the latch toward. the wall of the box 6 until .the tips of the lugs12 snap out over'the opposite ends of the loop strap 15. The lower ed es of these projections 12 are also prefe-ra 1y inclined so as to' more securely hold thenpartstogether. Y a

' e cover canbe readily o ened by simply retracting the latch by hand: 7

Aparticular advantage of this construction is that the integral sealingloop 15 may be provided at ractic ally no expense and, further, it provi es :1 means whereby a sealing wire may be passed through the openings in the spring arm and in the loop in such a manner asto completely enclose the loop and a portion of the arm.- Obviously this prevents any manipulation .of the seal or wire so as to even iizrtially open the box without destrglying" t e seal.

\ One partic ar advantage of the spring arm 10 is that, in this construction, a thin resilient 'spring may be used and the' cam lugs.12 may be formed by a simple shearing.

operation at the edges of thest'rip of stock as it passes through the dies. The angle of these lugs causes the spring arm to yield easily to the closing-movement of the cover and th that the wear upon the edges of the cooperatin hole in the cover isnot confined to the 'widt of the thickness of the metal of the considerable width. 7

I claim: 1. A'latch for a switch box having a cover hinged thereto, said cover having an opening near one edge, a spring arm carried y-the box and having oneend adapted to pass arm but it is spread out to a comparatively through'saidfopenin'g, the opposite outside edges of said end haying inwardly bent ine lugs are also angled laterally 'so- 'clmed catches ada ted to; cause said arm be 'tensioned as t e cover is closed and to snap into engagement; with the cover at the edge of said opening.

2. A latch for a switch box havinga cover" hinged thereto, said cover having an ppenmg near one edge, a spring arm secured to the box and having a free end adapted to' 'pass through said opening, the opposite edges of said end having inwardly bent 1nclined catches adapted to cause said arm to be tensioned as the cover is closed and to snap into engagement with the cover at one edge of said opening, saidcover having an integral outstanding loop at one ed e of saidopening adapted to receive a sea ng wire said inclined catches engaging the cover at the o posite ends of said 00 latch' for a switch box aving a cover,

:said cover havin an opening, a spring arm secured to saidv ox and adapted to enter 4, A late for a switch box having a cover, said cover having an integral loop and an .opening adjacent thereto, a spring arm carried by the box and having a free end adapt ed to pass through said opening, saidend a loop integral therewith and in line. vwithsaid o ening when the cover is closed.

having inwardly bent inclined catches at its opposite outside edges adapted to cause said arm to be tensionedgzs the cover is being closed and to snap mto engagement with the edge of the opening in the cover when the cover is fully. closed. FRANK T. W HEELER. 

